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Bay commuter ferry on way next summer from Werribee South

Aisha Dow

Nigel Sharp (left) and John Roysmith of Lyons Capital at the new Wyndham Harbour development in Werribee South. Photo: Paul Jeffers

Melbourne's first commuter ferry could be running by next summer, developers working with the state government say.

The service between Werribee South and Docklands will transport hundreds of western suburbs commuters into the CBD within 45 minutes, according to Lyons Capital.

Chief investment officer Nigel Sharp said the ferry could take 3000 people off the West Gate Bridge within five years. ''That's equivalent to adding a lane on the West Gate.''

A pilot service could begin as early as next year, charging passengers $25 for a return trip. By 2016, a permanent ferry will set sail, with a 35-metre catamaran making two trips into the city each morning and afternoon.

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Outside peak hours, the vessel will be largely a tourist service, boosting access to the Werribee Open Range Zoo. The ferry would travel at speeds of up to 35 knots, carry up to 350 people and have Wi-Fi access and a cafeteria.

The home of the catamaran will be at a new marina being built at Wyndham Harbour, a burgeoning seaside housing estate about 10 kilometres south of Werribee.

Meanwhile, Docklands is expected to receive a boost, with the ferry landing near the ANZ building.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Napthine government was committed to delivering a ferry service for Melbourne's western suburbs to the city. ''This will be delivered efficiently and effectively in the short term,'' he said.

Mr Sharp said they were close to finalising an operator to run the ferry, after detailed discussions with a number of parties.

But they are unsure if they will be able to lift speed restrictions along the Yarra River, a matter being considered by the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure.

If they are unable to change the speed limit, it is expected the trip would take an extra 20 minutes, a total commute of just over an hour.

The longer journey still could prove attractive for residents. Wyndham City Council recently ran a race that showed it took cars up to one hour and 40 minutes to travel into the CBD from the municipality during the morning peak.

Wyndham mayor Bob Fairclough said it was typical for western suburbs commuters to spend three hours each day in their cars. ''So the ferry could improve lifestyle and liveability in Wyndham because it will be pretty relaxing, people will be able to read a book,'' he said.

A survey of 300 Point Cook residents commissioned by Lyons Capital found 70 per cent of workers travelling into the city would use a ferry that took 40 minutes to the city.

However Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said the ferry would never carry enough people to be a real congestion buster, labelling it a distraction from a clear need to boost train and bus services in the west.

Wyndham council has identified two ''environmentally sensitive'' areas near the marina that they say will have to be protected if the ferry goes ahead.